Jan 9th:
Last night, while I was watching Blackish, a popular tv show, questions of racial identity were raised. The son attends a predominantly white private school and struggles with the idea of whether he should personify himself as acting and dressing "black" or "white". During the show he was clearly forcing himself to "act black" and it came off as a charade. By the end of the show he returned to his normal self that better aligned with the environment in which he was raised and his friend group.
Jan 16th:
This week President Trump was inaugurated. It was interesting to see the varying reactions from the different people that I interact. Emotions ranging from anger, to sadness, to disappointment, to joy were all shown by different people. This was a example of political diversity. I could see just from walking around campus and hearing the various conversations that were held the varying points of view that existed within the UGA community.
Jan 23rd:
This week Trump enacted a executive order that essentially bans Muslims from entering the US. This ban is a direct attack on the diversity of the country as a whole and displays a lack of understanding, comprehension, acceptance, and foresight of the possible consequences of this action. The questions that are asked upon arrival such as "What are your views of President Trump?" are reminiscent of a fascist or dictator ruled society and does not justify the current course of action. Unfortunately, America is sliding down a slippery slope by restricting its current religious diversity by restricting Islam, it has possibly opened a door of possibility, a Pandora's box, that could lead to further reproaches of diversity in the future.
Jan 30th:
This week I attended a conference for minority stem majors as a part of the LSAMP program that I participate. At this conference speakers, reminded us of the importance of trailblazers making the way for us to be able to pursue careers in stem and the importance of us keeping the trail open for those that will come after we have finished our journey. We were reminded of how the stem field is becoming more diverse, but it still lacks a strong presence of women and minorities. This conference strengthened not only our will to accomplish our career goals, but it also gave us stronger reasons and avenues to be able to accomplish them.
Feb 6th:
This week the Supreme Court shot down President Trump's Muslim ban executive order, and he is now attempting to challenge their decision by taking the issue further into the judicial system. The Supreme Court has effectively preserved the diversity of religion that exists in America by preventing the country from discriminating against immigrants and returners to the country based strictly upon the religion they prescribe. If the president is allowed to succeed in his mission to create this ban, he will be restricting America's diversity and directly contradict the diversity that is described in the US constitution.
Feb 13th:
This week I watched "Get Out" in the Tate Movie Theater and the core basis behind why the villains of the movie enacted their evil acts pertained to diversity. The evil members of a occult society were transferring their minds into black bodies in order to make themselves stronger, faster, or "cooler". This was a direct reference to both cultural appropriation and how society loves black people for what they can do and what they represent, but not for who they are as a individual.
Feb. 20th:
This week I participated in a program called Ga Daze weekend whose purpose is to increase minority recruitment to the University of Georgia and diversify the campus. I hosted a prospective student, and gave them guidance and direction, and a familiar face for when they arrive on campus. We took the them to a class so they could experience what a college class would look and feel like, and we took them to several panels and lectures that inspired them and gave insightful information and tips for their futures. This weekend I actively participated in an attempt to diversify the University of Georgia campus itself.
This article highlights an event where a KKK banner and a Confederate flag were hung in the town-square in Dahlonega, Georgia. The KKK is the physical, organized embodiment of minority and diversity hatred. They have terrorized, raped, murdered, and intimidated the black community for decades. After several years of closet racism, the changing political climate has emboldened racists and made them feel comfortable enough to openly display their true feelings, thoughts and beliefs. This article is a snapshot of one of the numerous similar events that are transpiring on a large scale throughout America.
This article acknowledges NYPD's attempts to increase diversity within their own department. Diversity within police departments is important because it allows the department to experience different types of people and share views and ideas, and it allows the officers to become comfortable with other types of people other than themselves. In addition, it could also aid in the rampant police profiling by increasing police exposure to other types of people.
This article addresses the growing diversity in the model industry most specifically the runway models themselves. The modeling industry is notorious for its lack of diversity and using non- poc to represent poc styles. This article acknowledged the fact that more plus size models are gradually gaining traction in the industry. However, I believe that it will be a substantial amount of time before we see a truly diverse cast of models in both race and size, the industry just like most other institutions is slow and reluctant to change and a full change will not occur in the near future.
Sesame Street announced that it will be unveiling a new character that has autism. This is a attempt to diversify the characters in the show so that it reaches a wider audience in terms of relatability. I believe that this move by the show is not isolated and that it is reflective of the direction in which society is progressing, representing everyone and supporting diversity.
James Harris Jackson from Baltimore traveled to New York with the intentions of "killing black men". He proceeded to murder Timothy Caughman with a sword. James Jackson turned himself in to the authorities and admitted his guilt and reasoning. This was a clear hate crime and attack on diversity. It was the physical manifestation of hatred towards minorities and marginalized communities most specifically, black men.
Marvel is apologizing for a recent X-Men comic book publication that contained anti-christian and antisemitic innuendos. A writer slipped in numbers that referred to a current political view such as “212” which denotes a mass protest against Jakarta’s Christian Gov. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. In addition, the number 51 refers to verse in the Quran (Chapter Surah 5, verse 51) that’s been interpreted by those protesting Gov. Purnama in Indonesia to: “Muslims should not appoint the Jews and Christians as their leader". Since X-Men was designed for the sole purpose of recognizing diversity and respecting members of different (especially minority) communities, Marvel was especially sorry for the mistake.
Google has begun a program targeted to increase diversity among its company and throughout the tech industry by providing mentors, preparation for the field, and internships for black students. The program allows 25-30 black students to participate in a 12 week summer program that provides them with all of these perks. The article states that Google's creation of this program is the company's response to it's low minority employment, and it is the company's way of increasing its black employment rates and black employment rates throughout Silicon Valley.
Last night, while I was watching Blackish, a popular tv show, questions of racial identity were raised. The son attends a predominantly white private school and struggles with the idea of whether he should personify himself as acting and dressing "black" or "white". During the show he was clearly forcing himself to "act black" and it came off as a charade. By the end of the show he returned to his normal self that better aligned with the environment in which he was raised and his friend group.
Jan 16th:
This week President Trump was inaugurated. It was interesting to see the varying reactions from the different people that I interact. Emotions ranging from anger, to sadness, to disappointment, to joy were all shown by different people. This was a example of political diversity. I could see just from walking around campus and hearing the various conversations that were held the varying points of view that existed within the UGA community.
Jan 23rd:
This week Trump enacted a executive order that essentially bans Muslims from entering the US. This ban is a direct attack on the diversity of the country as a whole and displays a lack of understanding, comprehension, acceptance, and foresight of the possible consequences of this action. The questions that are asked upon arrival such as "What are your views of President Trump?" are reminiscent of a fascist or dictator ruled society and does not justify the current course of action. Unfortunately, America is sliding down a slippery slope by restricting its current religious diversity by restricting Islam, it has possibly opened a door of possibility, a Pandora's box, that could lead to further reproaches of diversity in the future.
Jan 30th:
This week I attended a conference for minority stem majors as a part of the LSAMP program that I participate. At this conference speakers, reminded us of the importance of trailblazers making the way for us to be able to pursue careers in stem and the importance of us keeping the trail open for those that will come after we have finished our journey. We were reminded of how the stem field is becoming more diverse, but it still lacks a strong presence of women and minorities. This conference strengthened not only our will to accomplish our career goals, but it also gave us stronger reasons and avenues to be able to accomplish them.
Feb 6th:
This week the Supreme Court shot down President Trump's Muslim ban executive order, and he is now attempting to challenge their decision by taking the issue further into the judicial system. The Supreme Court has effectively preserved the diversity of religion that exists in America by preventing the country from discriminating against immigrants and returners to the country based strictly upon the religion they prescribe. If the president is allowed to succeed in his mission to create this ban, he will be restricting America's diversity and directly contradict the diversity that is described in the US constitution.
Feb 13th:
This week I watched "Get Out" in the Tate Movie Theater and the core basis behind why the villains of the movie enacted their evil acts pertained to diversity. The evil members of a occult society were transferring their minds into black bodies in order to make themselves stronger, faster, or "cooler". This was a direct reference to both cultural appropriation and how society loves black people for what they can do and what they represent, but not for who they are as a individual.
Feb. 20th:
This week I participated in a program called Ga Daze weekend whose purpose is to increase minority recruitment to the University of Georgia and diversify the campus. I hosted a prospective student, and gave them guidance and direction, and a familiar face for when they arrive on campus. We took the them to a class so they could experience what a college class would look and feel like, and we took them to several panels and lectures that inspired them and gave insightful information and tips for their futures. This weekend I actively participated in an attempt to diversify the University of Georgia campus itself.
Feb. 27th:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/AAoccgl?m=en-us
This article highlights an event where a KKK banner and a Confederate flag were hung in the town-square in Dahlonega, Georgia. The KKK is the physical, organized embodiment of minority and diversity hatred. They have terrorized, raped, murdered, and intimidated the black community for decades. After several years of closet racism, the changing political climate has emboldened racists and made them feel comfortable enough to openly display their true feelings, thoughts and beliefs. This article is a snapshot of one of the numerous similar events that are transpiring on a large scale throughout America.
March 6th:
http://www.amny.com/news/nypd-touts-diversity-of-latest-police-academy-graduates-1.13339693
This article acknowledges NYPD's attempts to increase diversity within their own department. Diversity within police departments is important because it allows the department to experience different types of people and share views and ideas, and it allows the officers to become comfortable with other types of people other than themselves. In addition, it could also aid in the rampant police profiling by increasing police exposure to other types of people.
March 13th:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/fashion/model-diversity-new-york-fashion-week.html?_r=0
This article addresses the growing diversity in the model industry most specifically the runway models themselves. The modeling industry is notorious for its lack of diversity and using non- poc to represent poc styles. This article acknowledged the fact that more plus size models are gradually gaining traction in the industry. However, I believe that it will be a substantial amount of time before we see a truly diverse cast of models in both race and size, the industry just like most other institutions is slow and reluctant to change and a full change will not occur in the near future.
March 20th:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/watch/Sesame-Streets-New-Character-Is-Part-Of-A-Bigger-Lesson-On-Diversity/vi-BBysPr5?videoformat=flash
Sesame Street announced that it will be unveiling a new character that has autism. This is a attempt to diversify the characters in the show so that it reaches a wider audience in terms of relatability. I believe that this move by the show is not isolated and that it is reflective of the direction in which society is progressing, representing everyone and supporting diversity.
March 27th:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BByDGtm?m=en-us
James Harris Jackson from Baltimore traveled to New York with the intentions of "killing black men". He proceeded to murder Timothy Caughman with a sword. James Jackson turned himself in to the authorities and admitted his guilt and reasoning. This was a clear hate crime and attack on diversity. It was the physical manifestation of hatred towards minorities and marginalized communities most specifically, black men.
April 3rd:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBzFfIq?m=en-us
Marvel is apologizing for a recent X-Men comic book publication that contained anti-christian and antisemitic innuendos. A writer slipped in numbers that referred to a current political view such as “212” which denotes a mass protest against Jakarta’s Christian Gov. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. In addition, the number 51 refers to verse in the Quran (Chapter Surah 5, verse 51) that’s been interpreted by those protesting Gov. Purnama in Indonesia to: “Muslims should not appoint the Jews and Christians as their leader". Since X-Men was designed for the sole purpose of recognizing diversity and respecting members of different (especially minority) communities, Marvel was especially sorry for the mistake.
April 10th:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BByHJCi?m=en-us
Google has begun a program targeted to increase diversity among its company and throughout the tech industry by providing mentors, preparation for the field, and internships for black students. The program allows 25-30 black students to participate in a 12 week summer program that provides them with all of these perks. The article states that Google's creation of this program is the company's response to it's low minority employment, and it is the company's way of increasing its black employment rates and black employment rates throughout Silicon Valley.